Washington, D.C. ­– U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) made the following statement regarding the current crisis in Lebanon:

“The collapse of Lebanon's democratic government clearly demonstrates the desire of Hezbollah to thwart justice and rule Lebanon despite losing the last election. The threat of violence has no place in a democracy. And yet Hezbollah's coercion and intimidation, more than any votes it won last year, is what has enabled the leaders of this terrorist group to force such an unfortunate outcome on the people of Lebanon. As always, Hezbollah's leaders are advancing the foreign agenda of external actors that have no business meddling in Lebanon's internal affairs.

“Prime Minister Hariri has sought every reasonable and responsible avenue to resolve this crisis peacefully and within the context of Lebanon's sovereign democratic institutions. But at the root of this crisis is a matter of justice on which the Prime Minister and many Lebanese rightly believe there can be no compromise: the Special Tribunal for Lebanon's investigation into the murder of Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and several other patriotic Lebanese. For the sake of justice that is owed to these murdered Lebanese citizens, and for the sake of Lebanon's non-negotiable right to independence and self-governance, we must remain committed to the mission of the Special Tribunal. I call upon all responsible nations to support the Tribunal in completing its work on behalf of the people of Lebanon.

“In this time of political crisis and uncertainty, all Lebanese should know that the United States, and especially the Congress, stands with them in their pursuit of justice, freedom, and national sovereignty. The democratic leaders of Lebanon's parliamentary majority have not wavered in their commitment to those principles, and neither shall we.”